William Donald Martin

William Donald Martin Jr of Poulsbo died peacefully in the early hours of March 11, 2024. Will, or "Willie", as he was known to those he grew up with, was born on November 17, 1949, in Bremerton, Washington to William Donald Martin Sr and Borghild Pauline (Nybakken) Martin. His father died when he was just 7 mo. old, and his mother never remarried. Will is proceeded in death by his parents, his wife, Jeanene Martin, and sister, Kathleen Martin.

Will grew up in "old town" Poulsbo in a time that seemed like pure childhood magic, playing all kinds of outside games with the neighbor kids, riding bikes, fishing and back yard campouts. These were some of Will's most treasured memories and people. He considered himself lucky to go through elementary school, junior high and high schools with many of the same people. He was a part of the North Kitsap class of 1968.

Starting in Pee Wee and Little League, Will played football, basketball, and baseball into high school; occasionally joining a softball or basketball league as an adult. As a parent he turned his passion from playing to coaching, and for 15 years was involved in coaching Pee Wee basketball and Babe Ruth baseball in Poulsbo, and one year he coached a girls' softball team on Bainbridge Island. In 2004 he was on the coaching staff that took a 14-year-old Babe Ruth team to the world series in North Carolina.

Will was a man of faith. He grew up attending First Lutheran and as an adult was a long-time member of Gateway Church. Though he participated in many ways, his time helping with the youth group and going on a mission trip to Mexico were stand outs.

An avid organic vegetable gardener, Will was proud of his large gardens that supplied his family and friends with fresh produce.
Known for his easy smile and kind heart with a dash of stubborn. He was a lover of jokes, a good story and people. He never knew a stranger and once you were someone he cared about, he always cared about you. His love of talking with people made his career in sales a good fit.

Will is survived by his daughters: Lisa (Andy) Miller, and Julie (Dan) McIntyre, sons: Duane (Sandy) Martin, Brian (Melissa) Martin, John Martin, and Erik (Megan) Martin, and 18 grandchildren: Gabriella, Jackson, Reece, Helene, David, Miranda, Mya, Mia, Channing (Emily), Peyton, Avery, Maribella, Finley, Killian, VioletAnn, Hendrik, Aksel and Winnie. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held May 11th, at 1:00 pm at Poulsbo First Lutheran Church, a light reception will follow. Donations can be made to North Kitsap Little League in memoriam: North Kitsap Little League P.O. Box 1476, Poulsbo, WA 98370, "Willie" in the memo.

Arrangements entrusted to The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary in Poulsbo, Washington.